Burien Strawberry Festival - Show #2

So this past weekend marks show #2 for the 2009 season. Our little booth was set up in Burien at their Annual Strawberry Festival. We had a great location and as always met some really nice people.

Next door was a roasted corn vendor from Covington and what a nice gal she was! And on the other side sweethearts Mary and Darrell. Mary makes the most beautiful Swaorvski crystal jewelry and some made of gemstonres They were gorgeous and when the sun was out it sparkled and shined! If you want to take a look at her fabulouse creations, here’s the website. (No worries, Mary . . .I am not charging for the advertising!) http://www.classysassyjewelry.com/

I think that is one of the things we enjoy most - - -the wonderful fellow vendors we have met along the way. We really hit it off with Mary and Darrell. We have so much in common and with nothing to do between customers but gab, Mary and I got rather well acquainted. In fact, I do believe that they have been talked into going on a cruise with us sometime. As luck would have it, even tho they are from the Kelso area they do many of the same shows that we do: Kent Cornucopia, Renton River Days, Sumner Arts and Crafts Fair. We’re hoping they are close enough that we can get better acquainted.

Sales were great and it was fun to see so many little girls walking around the fair in one of our handmade dresses. It always makes me smile and I think they look so cute! Of course I guess I am biased.

Sunday found Nineandahalf up with our older tent at the Roslyn Sunday Market. Despite a gusty windy day and the first day of the season he did alright! At least he didn’t have rain. All was well in Burien until the rain hit around 2:30 complete with some thunder. That pretty much killed any future sales. However, our sales were still good and I’m sure would have been even better had the rain not hit – in fact they exceeded our expectations which is always good.

I hadn’t done this show for many, many years . .. but I sure won’t miss it for the next couple!

Happy Father's Day to the Father's in my life!

First of all to Papawishus . . .What a wonderful man and great roll model. He was a great father to me in every sense of the word and an awesome and fun grandpa to the kids. He is sorely missed!


And Superman, who is an awesome father to my grandbabies and puts up with my daughter! He is patient and family orientated and very involved with their care and upbringing. You’re a great dad, Superman! And I hope you enjoy that wonderful Father's Day gift, ANOTHER DOG!


And to Mark, who was and continues to be a good dad to our 4 children.


And last but certainly not least, Nineandahalf, who is a great step dad to the kids. He truly loves and cares about them as his own and loves to watch them grow and mature. It’s been a tough road a couple of times but he has always had their best interest at heart!

The BIG Apple!

Ever have one of those days that just stand out in your memory. One where you can remember every little detail. Of course you have! We all have . . and sometimes they are big and important days and other times they are just run of the mill type days.

As we approach summer and the 4th of July with all it's patriotism . .I thought I'd share one of mine. It was a day in New York . . . the Big Apple and I LOVED it!

The Big Apple . .*sigh* and what do I love about the big apple???? Wow . .I guess because it is just that BIG .everything is larger than life -- - Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, the museums, the billboards, the lights . . .everything . . .but most of all the people. . Yes THE PEOPLE!

As a West Coast girl, I was very apprehensive about visiting New York City for the first time . . .I guess out here we just believe too many of the negative stories about the Big Apple and it’s people. (Personally I think these are perpetuated by people from Los Angeles – the big apple of the west - - out of jealousy) What LA misses out on . . New York has - - hands down. The first time I went I was so astounded by the friendliness of the people . . .many times we met folks and they loved to share their city. You just don’t find that in every big city. Nineandahalf and I took the New York Harbor dinner cruise one evening around the Statue of Liberty . . and while eating met a fella from the Bronx . . who said he and his family owned and Italian restaurant and invited us to his place! He gave us his business card and we learned so much about the city and the people from him. That evening was one of those once in a lifetime experiences that I don’t think we could every experience again . . . .it was magical!

We were late to the boat . . . and had brought our dress up clothes ( and yes despite being almost 50 at the time . .my 4 inch heels) and we ended up having to change in the car - - something we will laugh about today . . . .and we rushed in just barely making it . . . .it was a fun evening and the food pretty good - -- but the New Yorkers marvelous. It wasn’t tourist season yet and the boat had a lot of New Yorkers aboard out for a nice dinner cruise. . . the best part . . .dancing with my honey to “New York, New York” as we went by the Statue of Liberty. Then as the sun went down and the stars came out the boat paused and everyone spontaneously held hands on the deck and sang “God Bless America.” Are you teary eyed yet? I am . . .everytime I think about it - -

Ah yes .. New York . . . .what a marvelous place!

And yes . .. I did take this picture!

Sage-N-Sun Festival in Ephrata

And so our craft season starts!

Our first show of the 2009 season was at Ephrata for the 100th Annual Sage-N-Sun Festival. This show was new to us and although 3 hours away we decided to give it a try. The show wasn’t our best show . . .but then again it wasn’t our worst either. It fell right in line with an average show and our show minimal show expectations. It was a nice show on the Grant County Courthouse front lawn under some beautiful old trees. There was a church nearby that had the most beautiful music that chimed throughout the town every hour. The slight breeze and shade really made it a nice day . . .and the architecture from this 1895 building wonderful. It was a small show but a nice one.

We are always amazed at the difference going over the pass makes. Not only in terms of weather but in terms of the people. They seem more friendly and down to earth. The families seem somehow more wholesome and family oriented. And of course the political views are far more conservative. It’s almost like going to a different world.

While meeting people who came into our booth, they routinely asked where we were from. And we when told them, then would nod and say “Oh, you are from the dark side.” The first person that said this I thought was just perhaps teasing, but we began hearing this from pretty much everyone. We had to smile. Sitting there analyzing this I wondered if they came up with the term “dark side” because of our weather . . .or perhaps because of our crime and “darker” lifestyle. It was an interesting thought.

I had always thought that here in Western Washington I lived in “normal” America. But sitting there on Sunday afternoon, and seeing all the families dressed in Sunday best walking hand in hand around the courthouse, I began to think that perhaps they were “normal” America and more in line with how most of our country lives in the cities and rural areas of the main portion of our country. Definitely some food for thought - - and yet it seems that the big cities control the country’s politics and laws.

So as our craft weekend came to a close we began our three hour drive home to the “dark side.” The closer we got the more at home I felt. The skies did indeed get darker and the temperature dropped a good 20 degrees. We began to see trees . . .and mountains . . .and small waterfalls and even an occasion deer. Over the pass we went toward home. Dark side or not, it was home and as we pulled in the driveway even Leo was excited to be home. Getting out the cooler air felt good and the air fresh and crisp to my nostrils and throat. As much as we enjoy our weekends, it is always nice to be home. And the threat of rain during the coming week . . .well that doesn’t bother me at all . . It comes with the lush greenery, fresh air and cooler temperatures that I love!

Happy 21st Birthday, Furrbait

Same grin since 1988! I am very proud to be your mom! Make it a great day! and most of all ENJOY!

The Young Americans Foundation

Wow . . I can hardly believe that my son is back in the Washington D.C. area working with this organization. Here's a picture of him with a senator.

Four children and they all are so different -- -Stefanie definitely a “Republicrat” as she called it . . Like most of us a “little of both” . .. . . Brad clearly as Republican as they come . . .. Kevin although I would call him a Republicrat I think he would tell you he’s more Democrat . . .and then Kyle . . .who follows in line with Brad. It’s amazing to me how political Brad and Kyle are . . . .and strikes me as a bit funny in some ways . . .

Brad and Kyle resemble each other more than any of the other kids . . .In fact when Brad was in high school, his friends referred to Kyle as Baby Brad a nickname that seemed to stick for awhile . .. and now that they both are in their 20’s their belief system and politic nature seem to be more alike as time goes on . . . .considering they were both raised in a household where politics were not discussed a lot . . . and neither of us were particularly politically minded . . . it’s funny how two of the children are that way . . and Brad in particular.

Despite the situation, I continue to follow his accomplishments and remain very proud of him . .. I hear stories of his antics from different family members and smile . .. He always had such a great sense of humor and one that always jived with my own. His acconmplishments make me proud of the young man that he has become and when folks tell me that he dreams of a career in politics I have to nod my head . .. yep . . .wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him someday on Capital Hill!

Brad - -whereever you are . .. I love you and am very proud of you!

The Joys of Grandbabies!

I’m glad to see that Stefanie and Superman take some time out for themselves and go out together fairly regularly . . . not only for their marriage but because this gives us grandparents an opportunity to spend time with the grandbabies . . . .hmmm . . .well guess since Hallie is 4 and Nathan soon to be 2 . .grandbabies seems a little odd . . .but my grandbabies they will always be!

So . . .while Mr. And Mrs. Superman went to a movie, the Grandbabies came to have dinner and spend the evening with Grammie and Grandpa. Let me just say this disclaimer first . . . .no , we don’t just eat chocolate, chocolate, chocolate.

First of all, Hallie and I of course had to go thru our ritual of nail painting . .. She knows right were the nail polish is and loves to pick our her color and also a top coat with “sparkles”. She knows that Daddy will not allow red or orange and always tells me that . . .although she then looks at me longingly hoping I will override Daddy. Not a chance . . Have you seen the size of him . . . .and I don’t call him Superman for nuthin’.

The kids wanted chocolate milk with dinner . .. so of course Grandpa ran to the little local market and paid an arm and a leg for two small containers of chocolate milk . . . .he thought each child needed their own. We aren’t milk drinkers and one still remains where it will die a slow death. Darn . .I meant to send that home with the kids.

Hallie loves to cook and so after dinner made chocolate “cake cups” – although she corrected me and said cupcakes . . .guess she’s isn’t fluent in the family language yet . .. but she’s learning . .. she does know what a ginky is! Hallie loves to crack the eggs! Now the problem started . . . .my mixer only has one beater . . and I fondly remember the days of my own mom letting my brother and I lick the beaters . .. there were two . . and I can almost feel the smooth metal rode against my tongue as I licked the batter clean . . .Ahhhh those were the days! So? How to solve this problem . . .. nothing else to do . .Nathan can’t be short changed just because he is littler . . although he seemed a little inexperienced at wanting to lick the beater . . . .So I took a large spoon and covered it in gooey chocolate batter and let him have at it . . . .They both did pretty well and there was little clean up afterwards . . just a little on their faces and noses . . . yep . .they didn’t want to waste a drop of the chocolately goodness . . .

With the cupcakes baked we had time to wait for cooling before frosting them . . .and what else would you frost them with . .. why chocolate frosting of course! We frosted them and of course this required more licking of kitchen utensils when we were done. By the time it was time for them to go home, we had a box full of chocolate cakecups to send home - -you didn’t think I’d keep these did you? I can only imagine how much weight I would gain from eating an entire batch - -- Nineandahalf isn’t much of a sweet eater - - and so home they went . . where Hallie had assured me that Daddy loved these kinds best . . Hope that helps soften the blow from the sparkles on Hallie’s nails . .. She picked purple sparkes and they were a bit dark over the pale pink polish . .. but honest . . .I didn’t realize it . . .

Happy Anniversary Nineandahalf!

Today is our 4th anniversary . .I’m highly suspicious that perhaps Nineandahalf has forgotten . . but we shall see . He can be sneaky and he hasn’t mentioned a thing . . .

And so today, I think back on that day just 4 years ago . In some ways it seems so very long ago and yet it seems like yesterday. We had planned, planned and replanned this important day a million times . .. and our lives had had more than their share of ups and downs. So . . we finally decided to tie the knot. Well . …..I say we .. . .but it was really me who drug her feet a bit . . .I’d been here before .. . .and I wanted to be sure . . .and yet there are no guarantees in life . . ..and so we decided to elope.

Elope? Now that’s a silly word for folks our age, isn’t it . . .. but so we decided. We decided to get married in Leavenworth and had made reservations at a small chapel garden for our ceremony and a weekend stay at a bed and breakfast along the Icicle River. It was wonderful. My dress came from a local haunt and I made a western style hat and veil to go with it . . .I even had satin boots .. Nineandahalf looked quite handsome in his western tuxedo jacket with black wrangler jeans and boots. It was a lovely day and ceremony - -- The minister, a woman, was touched by us and our sincerity and emotions for this special day. Afterwards we walked around Leavenworth before going to our dinner and many of the merchants gave us “wedding gifts.” It was a grand day!

And here we are 4 years later!

Ya know what Nineandahalf? Life doesn’t get any better than this!